System and method of a pool filter operation

ABSTRACT

A filter apparatus is disclosed herein that includes a filter, such as a cartridge, positioned within a housing. The housing includes a lower-section housing and a cover assembly removably attached to the lower-section housing. The filter apparatus has multiple ports and valves, such as a valve associated with the cover assembly, so as to allow a user to easily switch between various operations on a pool filter, such as between a backwash mode and a filtration mode. The filter apparatus also employs a cage positioned around the cartridge, thereby between the housing and the filter. The cage provides additional support to the cartridge so as to reduce wear and tear of the cartridge. The cover is rotatable about the lower-section housing so as to allow a user to position ports on the cover in any direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/212,267, filed Aug. 31, 2015, the entire description of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to a pool filter with an easierand more efficient system and method for cleaning and operating the poolfilter.

There are various types of filters that water filtration systems use inorder to filter water from a reservoir, such as a pool. Some filters,such as cartridges, may be more fragile than others and too much waterpressure can cause damage to the cartridge. Further, some filters areset-up with only a limited number of ports so that during a backwashmode in order to clean waste from the cartridge, a user may have toadjust various hoses, controls and clamps in order to reverse thedirection of thee water through the filter. Adjusting the various hosesamong the ports on the filter requires extra time and hassle by a user.

SUMMARY

Provided herein is a filter apparatus adapted to more efficientlyoperate and clean a cartridge within a filter. Additional ports havebeen added to the filter so that to switch between filtration andbackwash mode simply requires adjustment of a few valves, without havingto switch hoses or other components among the various ports. A cagesurrounding a cartridge within a housing of the filter apparatus may beimplemented as well. During backwash mode, the cage provides support andstability to the cartridge to reduce the amount of damage to thecartridge as a result of the water pressure exerted during backwashmode. A cover assembly of the housing further includes a valve thereinthat allows the changing of the directional flow of the water, such asfrom filtration mode to backwash mode. In addition, the cover assemblymay be positionable at any location on the housing, so that the user isable to control and adjust the direction the ports are facing withouthaving adjust the positioning of the entire housing of the filter.

A cartridge filter is disclosed herein, the cartridge filter includes ahousing configured to contain a cartridge filter, the housing including:a lower-section housing; and a cover assembly attached to thelower-section housing, the cover assembly including a valve assemblyhaving an outlet port, an inlet port, an internal port, and a valvepositioned within the valve assembly; the cartridge filter apparatusconfigurable in one of a filtration mode and a backwash mode based on aposition of the valve, wherein in the filtration mode water flowsthrough the cartridge filter in a first direction and in the backwashmode water flows through the cartridge filter in a second directionopposite the first direction.

As a further example, the present disclosure discloses a cartridgefilter assembly that includes a housing; a cartridge filter positionedwithin the housing; and a cage positioned around the cartridge filterand between the housing and the cartridge filter.

As another example, a cartridge filter apparatus is disclosed herein,the cartridge filter apparatus includes a housing configured to containa cartridge filter, the housing including: a lower-section housing; anda cover assembly attached to the lower-section housing, the coverassembly including a cover and a valve assembly having an outlet port,an inlet port, an internal port, and a valve positioned within the valveassembly, the cover being attached to the valve assembly; and a clampfor securing the cover to the lower-section housing of the housing, thecover being rotatably positionable on the lower-section housing, thepool filter being operable regardless of a position the cover is securedto the lower-section housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will become more readily apparent from thespecific description accompanied by the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overview of a pool filter operation in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A-C depict various views of the pool filter in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view of the pool filter in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2E illustrates an internal cavity of a lower-section housing of thepool filter in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2F is a disassembled view of a cover assembly and nut in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3A-C depict various views of a valve assembly of the pool filterin accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4A-B depict a filter cartridge of the pool filter in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A-B are perspective views of a cage used with the filter cartridgein accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 5C-D is a lid and a base, respectively, of the cage in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5E illustrates the filter cartridge positioned within the cage inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5F is a cross-sectional view of the cage with the cartridge of FIG.5D in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

Like reference numerals indicate similar parts throughout the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference tothe following detailed description of the disclosure taken in connectionwith the accompanying figures, which form a part of this disclosure. Itis to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specificdevices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shownherein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments by way of example only and is notintended to be limiting of the claimed disclosure.

Also, as used in the specification and including the appended claims,the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, andreference to a particular numerical value includes at least thatparticular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Rangesmay be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” oneparticular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particularvalue. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes fromthe one particular value and/or to the other particular value.Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of theantecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular valueforms another embodiment.

A liquid filter according to the present disclosure includes a cartridgefilter within a housing. The housing includes a cover assembly removablyattached to a lower-section housing. The filter may be attached orcoupled to a pool pump. The cover assembly includes a valve configuredto change direction of flow of water within the pool filter, whichresults in the filter operating in one of a filtration mode or abackwash mode. The cover assembly further includes a valve assembly thathas an inlet port and an outlet port that is exposed via openings in acap of the cover assembly. The valve is able to direct water to thevarious ports based on the valve position. When the inlet port is openedthe filter receives water from the pool pump, and when the outlet portis opened the filter directs the water from the outlet port to the pool.In addition, two ports are positioned on a lower portion of the housing,a second inlet port that receives water from the pool pump and thesecond outlet port that directs water outside the filter. A cover of thecover assembly is attached to the housing via a nut, wherein thepositioning of the cover on the nut is movable. In this regard, thedirection that the ports face on the cover assembly can be adjusted360°. Further, the cartridge includes a cage on an outside portion ofthe cartridge that provides support for the cartridge during a backwashcycle, such as preventing the cartridge from expanding from the waterpressure exerted from backwashing.

As shown in FIG. 1, filter 120 may be connected to a pool 110. Forinstance, one pipe or set of pipes may deliver water from pool 120 topool pump 160 and then to filter 120, and then another pipe or set ofpipes delivers water from filter 120 to pool 110. This circuit continuesso that filter 120 continues filtering and cleaning the water from pool110. Although pool 110 is shown in the example of FIG. 1, any reservoirthat houses water or other liquid may be used in conjunction with filter120, such as a pond, spa, etc.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-E, housing 222 of filter 120 includes alower-section housing 224 that houses a cartridge and a cover assembly226 positioned above lower-section housing 224, cover assembly 226 beingremovably attachable to lower-section housing 224.

Lower-section housing 224 includes a valve 250 that opens and closessecond inlet port 240 and a second valve 252 that opens and closessecond outlet port 242. As shown in FIG. 2B, lower-section housingincludes a third outlet port 244 that serves as an additional port forwaste. Third outlet port 244 may not be necessary, and may typically becapped off. As discussed in further detail below, water may enter secondinlet port 240 from pool pump 160 in the filtration mode, and wateralong with waste may exit second outlet port 242 in the backwash mode.

FIG. 2E shows inside lower-section housing 224 and the various ports onfilter 120 that lead therein. FIG. 2E illustrates the inside structureof lower-section housing 224, and thereby the structure in which waterwill flow. For example, barrier 292 may extend parallel to lower-sectionhousing 224, and separates an outside perimeter inside of lower-sectionhousing 224 from a cavity of cartridge 210. When cartridge 210 ispositioned within lower-section housing 224, barrier 292 may end at ornear a lower end of cartridge 210, so that water is able to flow throughand be filtered by cartridge 210. For example, water may flow uplower-section housing 224 from an outside portion of cartridge 210 to aninside portion of cartridge 210, or vise versa. In addition and withreference to FIG. 2D, a cage 290 is positioned around cartridge 210,which provides additional support to cartridge 210, as discussed infurther detail below.

As an alternative, during backwash mode second outlet port 242 may beclosed and a separation tank may be implemented, which catches particleswithin the water. The captured particles in the separation tank may exitfrom third outlet port 244, which may be opened during backwash mode orclosed and then subsequently opened. Water may or may not exit thirdoutlet port 244 during the backwash cycle as well. Alternatively, thirdoutlet port 244 may only be used for the larger particles and waste thatare filtered by the separation tank.

As illustrated in FIG. 2F, cover assembly 226 includes cover 238, cap236, valve assembly 298, diverter 302 and handle 232 to change the flowof water using diverter 302. Nut 234 is also illustrated in FIG. 2F.Inlet port 228 and outlet port 230 are formed with valve assembly 298,and are exposed from respective openings in cap 236 so that a user isable to access inlet port 228 and outlet port 230. Cover assembly 226can include a pressure gauge and/or pressure relief valve. As describedin further detail below, valve assembly 298 may be permanently attachedto cover 238, such that any re-positioning or adjustment of cover 238corresponds to the re-positioning of inlet port 228 and outlet port 230.In addition, valve assembly 298 may be attached to cap 236, such asusing nuts and bolts or other connecting mechanism. In this regard,movement of cover 238 will allow for the openings on cap 236 tocorrespond with inlet port 228 and outlet port 230 of valve assembly298.

As an alternative, valve assembly 298 may be connected withlower-section housing 224 at other locations as well. For example, valveassembly 298 may be positioned at a base of lower-section housing 298,such that water may enter and exit filter 120 from a bottom thereof. Forexample, referring back to FIG. 2E, this figure illustrates a base oflower-section housing 224 in which valve assembly 298 may be positionedat. As one example, valve assembly 298 may be positioned at a centerthereof, in which case an internal port extends into lower-sectionhousing 224. In this regard, a diverter, such as diverter 302, may beconnected to a handle or other device that is able to adjust thepositioning of diverter 302. As a result, the diverter will adjust whichport on valve assembly 298 is opened or closed, and thereby whetherfilter 120 is operating in backwash or filtration mode.

Cover assembly 226 is attached to lower-section housing 224 of filter120 via a nut 234 which allows cover assembly 226 to adjust thedirection in which valve assembly 298 and cap 236 are positioned onlower-section housing 224. As discussed in further detail below andshown in the figures, cover assembly 226 includes cover 238, whichcontains a threaded portion for nut 234 to attach to. Nut 234 may bering-shaped and secured on an outside portion of cover assembly 226 andlower-section housing 224. Cover 238 of cover assembly 226 andlower-section housing 224 may have corresponding threads with nut 234,so that nut 234 can secure thereto. As an alternative to using threadednut 234 to seal cover 226 to lower-section housing 224, the connectionmay be using a clip-on or snap-on, or a clamp.

Cover assembly 226 may be pressed inside of lower-section housing 224and sealing occurs using an “O” ring through radial seal. In thisregard, as long as cover 238 of cover assembly 226 is pressed inside oflower-section housing 224 the hermitic seal takes place and nut 234 willsecure the lid so as to not allow pressure to escape. For additionalsafety a lock may be provided at a side of nut 234 to hold nut 234 fromrotation after being secured. In this regard, cover assembly 226 doesnot have to fit in a particular, stagnant direction at all times, butrather cover assembly 226 and valve assembly 298 can be adjusted 360° toallow a user to direct the various ports on cover assembly 226 in amanner that is suitable for the user. For instance, a user may want todirect internal backwash port 228 and external pool port 230 inparticular directions that are most convenient for setting up all of thecomponents of pool filter 120 in the given environment.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-D, valve assembly 298 includes inlet port 228,outlet port 230 and internal port 280. Valve assembly 298 may beattached to cover 238 so that, when filter 120 is assembled, inlet port228 and outlet port 230 may be automatically moved with cover 238. Forexample, although pool filter 120 itself may be attached to a base, theuser is still able to re-position the ports on valve assembly 298 toorient them in a position that is most favorable to the environment andsurroundings of the user. Internal port 280 may extend intolower-section housing 224, and even further within an inside portion ofcartridge 210. In this regard, an outside diameter of internal port 280substantially fits within an inside diameter of cartridge 210, to allowwater to seamlessly flow between cover 238 and lower-section housing224. Furthermore, by having valve assembly 298 permanently attached tocover 238, less pressure is lost during operation of filter 120 since notubes or other adapters are used to transfer water. Other systems thatuse tubes or adapters to connect between cover 238, inlet port 228,outlet port 230, and lower section housing 224 may lose pressure as aresult of the additional pieces. In addition, incorporating valveassembly 298 to cover 238 also reduces cost in manufacturing.

Referring back to FIG. 2F, diverter valve 302 may rest on a base withininternal port 280 to divert water as the water enters one of the portson valve assembly 298. A top portion of diverter valve 302 may connectto handle 232 through cap 236, and rotation of handle 232 adjusts thepositioning of diverter valve 302, which thereby either opens or closesinlet port 228 or outlet port 230. Based on which port of valve assembly298 is opened or closed by diverter valve 302, filter 120 may operate ineither filtration mode or backwash mode. In this regard, the positioningof handle 232 determines which mode filter 120 operates in, that is,filtration mode or backwash mode. It should be understood that althoughhandle 232 is described as controlling the mode of filter 120, othermechanisms and means for altering the functionality of filter 120 arealso possible. For example, other types of controls, whethermechanically based or electronically based, may control and adjust themode of the filter.

In filtration mode, diverter valve 302, via handle 232, opens outletport 230 and closes inlet port 228. Referring to FIG. 2A, during thefiltration mode inlet valve 250 associated with second inlet 240 is inthe opened position, and outlet valve 252 associated with second outlet242 is in the closed position.

During filtration mode the pool water enters pool pump 160, travels tosecond inlet port 240, continues to travel up lower-section housing 224through cartridge 210 of pool filter 120, and then exits outlet port 230which directs the water back to the pool. Referring to FIG. 2D, whenwater enters housing 222, the water flows upward within lower-sectionhousing 224 on a periphery of cartridge 210. From here, the water flowsthrough cartridge 210 toward and into the inside diameter of cartridge210, in order to enter internal port 280, which subsequently directs thewater to outlet port 230 and ultimately to the pool. Cartridge 210cleans or otherwise filters the water as the water moves therethrough,and then is ultimately delivered back to the pool.

In backwash mode, diverter valve 302, via handle 232, opens inlet port228 and closes outlet port 230. Furthermore, during the backwash modeinlet valve 250 associated with second inlet 240 is in the closedposition, and outlet valve 252 associated with second outlet 242 is inthe opened position

During backwash mode the pool water enters pool pump 160, travels uptube 270 to inlet port 228 enters internal port 280 and moves throughcartridge 210 and lower-section housing 224, until the water ultimatelyexits second outlet port 242. In backwash mode, however, when the waterenters lower-section housing 224 via internal port 280, the water movesfrom the inside of cartridge 210 and travels to the outside of cartridge210, which allows for the water to clean cartridge 210. When the waterpasses through cartridge 210, the water and any waste that is collectedis directed outside of filter 120 through second outlet port 242, whichmay lead to a drain, the grass, etc.

By having two external ports, namely outlet port 230 and second outletport 242, a user does not need to switch tubes, hoses, clamps, etc. whenswitching between backwash mode and filtration mode. Furthermore, poolfilter 120 itself is simplified by having these two outlet ports. Theadvantage of such a system not only reduces manufacturing of pool filter120 itself, but also reduces the work by a user when switching betweenfiltration and backwash mode.

Furthermore, pool pump 160 is able to deliver water to inlet port 228and second inlet port 240 by having two ports to direct the water. Forexample, as described in application Ser. No. 14/566,220, filed Dec. 10,2014, the contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference,a pool pump that includes two outlet ports that are respectivelyoriented in vertical and horizontal directions. The water within poolpump 160 will be directed based on which inlet is opened and closed onthe filter, such as inlet port 228 or second inlet port 240 on filter120.

As an alternative, another diverter valve may be implemented on poolpump 160, such as a T-valve, that is able to open and close the ports tofilter 120. In this scenario, some of the valves on filter 120 may notbe necessary since the valves on pool pump 160 is able to control thedirectional flow of the water.

Inside lower-section housing 224 of housing 222 is cartridge filter 210,but other filters are also possible and the present disclosure shouldnot be limited thereto. As depicted in FIGS. 4A-B, cartridge 210implements fan-pleat substrate 412 (e.g., Reemay® Material), chain linkwebbing 414, mesh reinforced polyethylene end caps 416 and 418, and oneor more reinforced with pleat banding 420 surrounding at least a portionof cartridge 210. Chain link webbing 414 may be comprised of metal,plastic, etc., and provides for more efficient use of the fan-pleatsubstrate 412 material. As illustrated in FIGS. 4A-B, chain link webbing414 may be positioned along an inner diameter of cartridge 210, and alsoon at least one of a top and bottom of cartridge 210. When water flowsthrough cartridge 210, chain link webbing 414 helps keep spacing withinthe pleats of fan-pleat substrate 412, so that the pleats do notcollapse. By maintaining the spacing in between the pleats, fan-pleatsubstrate 412 is able to gather more waste, debris, etc. when filteringthe water. In addition, since the pleats do not collapse as a result ofchain link webbing 414, cartridge 210 overall is able to last longerthan if chain link webbing 414 was not employed.

A central core 452 is positioned within a cavity of cartridge 210, andthe cavity is defined by a perimeter of cartridge 210. Central core 452is at least partially positioned within the cavity of cartridge 210, andextends at least partially along a longitudinal axis of the cavity.Central core 452 may be comprised of metal, plastic or any othermaterial sufficient to provide support to cartridge 210 when under waterpressure. Central core 452 helps provide support for the internalportion of cartridge 210, such that when water flows from an outsideportion of cartridge 210 through to an inside portion of cartridge 210,cartridge 210 will not collapse.

In addition, the holes in central core 452 allow for uniformlydistributed water on both sides of cartridge 210. For example, water maytravel through the holes of central core 452, thereby allowing the waterto travel uniformly through both sides of cartridge 210. The more stablepleats as a result of the various reinforcements, such as the chain linkwebbing, allows for consistent water flow and distribution of thefiltered dirt on the pleated substrate. It should be noted, however,that the present disclosure is not restricted to a particular cartridge,filter media, or brand of pleats, but rather any filter may beimplemented with filter 120 in order to implement the technologydisclosed herein. For instance, the cartridge may be a sand cartridge,charcoal cartridge, etc. which may also work with the presentdisclosure.

The design of central core 452 is not limited to any particular shape orsize, and the openings therein are not restricted to a particulardesign, shape, size or amount as well. For instance, central core 452may be designed to fit the overall structure of cartridge 210 to providesupport to that particular cartridge 210. In addition, although thelength of central core 452 may correspond to a length of cartridge 210,it does not have to so long as central core 452 is capable of providingsupport to cartridge 210. Conversely, central core 452 may only protectportions of cartridge 210, such as portions of cartridge 210 that tendto damage quickest. In a further embodiment, cartridge 210 may comepre-installed within central core 452. In addition, although openings520 form a cylindrical shape on cartridge 210, any number of shapes andsizes are available as well, including circular, square, rectangular,etc.

In an additional embodiment, multiple central cores may also be used andcombined within the cavity of cartridge 210, each central core having adifferent or same design (e.g., amount, size, and shape of openings,overall strength of central core, etc.), as described above. Forinstance, if two central cores are used, then a first central core mayhave smaller openings relative to a second central core, which haslarger openings. As another example, the first central core may havetriangular openings and the second central core may have circularopenings. Any number of these combinations of different sizes and shapedcentral cores are possible. Furthermore, one section of the cartridgeand central core may receive more water pressure than other sections ofthe cartridge and central core. Therefore, using more than one centralcore around the cartridge may make it easier to replace just that onesection of the central core as opposed to an entirely new central corewhen only a section thereof has been damaged.

As discussed above, when filter 120 is operating in backwash mode waterpressure is exerted against cartridge 210. FIGS. 5A-F depict a cage 290that is positioned around an outside portion of cartridge 210, whichabsorbs and relieves some of the water pressure exerted againstcartridge 210. Cage 290 may be comprised of plastic or metal, anycombination thereof, or any other material strong enough to providesupport to cartridge 210, as described herein. Cage 290 further includesa cap 512 and a base 514 that are positioned on a first end and a secondend of cage 290, respectively. Cap 512 and base 514 may provideadditional support to the upper and lower regions of the cage and alsothe cartridge itself. For instance, cap 512 and base 514 may preventwater from damaging the ends of cartridge 210. In addition, cap 512 andbase 514 may provide additional support to the upper and lower portionsof cage 290, such as by supporting cage 290 from expanding from thewater pressure.

Cage 290 may provide support to cartridge 210 so that the pressureexerted by the water does not cause cartridge 210 to expand beyond thecapacity of cartridge 210. For instance, if the backwash mode of theparticular pool filter is overwhelmingly strong, then the pressure fromthe water may cause damage to cartridge 210. Damage may include rips,tears, holes, etc. to cartridge 210. However, with the additionalsupport provided by cage 290, cartridge 210 may not be able to expandbeyond its capacity, thereby reducing the amount of damage caused tocartridge 210.

Cage 290 includes a plurality of openings 520 throughout and forms acylindrical shape outside cartridge 210. Openings 520 throughout cage290 allow the free-flow of water through cage 290, thereby notinterfering with the filtration or backwash processes of pool filter120.

The design of cage 290 is not limited to any particular shape or size,and openings 520 are not restricted to a particular design, shape, sizeor amount as well. For instance, cage 290 may be designed to fit theoverall structure of cartridge 210 to provide support to that particularcartridge 210. In addition, although the length of cage 290 maycorrespond to a length of cartridge 210, it does not have to so long ascage 290 is capable of providing support to cartridge 210. Conversely,cage 290 may only protect portions of cartridge 210, such as portions ofcartridge 210 that tend to damage quickest. Moreover, although cage 290includes lid 512 and base 514 that are removably attachable to cage 290,lid 512 and base 514 may alternatively be one complete unit withcartridge 210. For example, base 514 may be permanently attached to cage290, and lid 512 may be open for the cartridge to slide in, or viseversa. As an alternative, lid 512 or base 514 may be attached to cage290 via a hinge mechanism. In a further embodiment cartridge 210 maycome pre-installed within cage 290, such that lid 512 and base 514 arepermanently sealed with cartridge 210 within cage 290. In addition,although openings 520 form a cylindrical shape on cartridge 210, anynumber of shapes and sizes are available as well, including circular,square, rectangular, etc.

Openings 520 may also define the water path that the water travels in.Since the water has to go through openings 520 that are created by cage290, cage 290 at least partially determines the flow of the water. Inthis regard, a size, shape, and positioning of openings 520 may beconfigured to optimize the performance of pool filter 120. For instance,the size, shape, and positioning of the various openings 520 may bedesigned and configured to optimize the flow of water withinlower-section housing 224, since openings 520 throughout cage 290 areable to direct where the water flows. For example, water cannot flowthrough the structure of cage 290, but by being able to flow throughopenings 520, the flow of water is able to be controlled in a manner tomaximize water flow.

Further, cage 290 may have adjustable openings in that cage 290 itselfis able to alter its design. For example, in the backwash cycle thecleansing of the filter may be restricted to the particular sizes orshapes of openings 520. Thus, by having an adjustable cage with respectto the size and shape of the openings and the positioning thereof, otherparts of the cartridge can be cleaned as well in subsequent backwashcycles. Lid 512 and base 514 may include one or more openings for waterto flow through as well.

Cage 290 may be positioned anywhere between cartridge 210 andlower-section housing 224 of pool filter 120. Thus, cage 290 may becomfortably snug against cartridge 210 or with a distance betweencartridge 210 and cage 290. The positioning of cage 290 relative tolower-section housing 224 may also depend on the particular cartridgeused, such as based on the size of the cartridge. A space is providedbetween cage 290 and lower-section housing 224 for water to flowtherein. The cartridge may be made of a weaker material such that it istypically washed in a more fragile manner, in which case cage 290 may bepositioned closer to cartridge 210 than if cartridge 210 was a moreresistant and stronger type filter.

In an additional embodiment, multiple cages may also be used andcombined around cartridge 210, each cage having a different or samedesign (e.g., amount, size, and shape of openings, overall strength ofcage, etc.), as described above. For instance, if two cages are used,then a first cage may have smaller openings relative to a second cage,which has larger openings. As another example, the first cage may havetriangular openings and the second cage may have circular openings. Anynumber of these combinations of different sizes and shaped cages arepossible. Furthermore, one section of the cartridge and cage may receivemore water pressure than other sections of the cartridge and cage.Therefore, using more than one cage around the cartridge may make iteasier to replace just that one section of the cage as opposed to anentirely new cage when only a section thereof has been damaged.

As another embodiment, the rotation of cover assembly 226 aboutlower-section housing 224 does not affect the functionality of handle232, and valve assembly 298. Rather, valve assembly 298 is still able toadjust its positioning regardless and independent of the 360° movementof cover assembly 226.

As a result of the foregoing, a user is able to easily switch betweenfiltration mode and backwash mode simply by adjusting some valves,without having to switch tube connections among various ports. Forinstance, the user can use the handle of the filter to adjust the filterfrom a filtration mode to the backwash mode, which adjusts a diverterwithin the filter from closing the outlet port and opening the inletport. From here, the user simply has to close the second inlet port andopen the second outlet port, thereby allowing the water to and waste toexit the pool filter from the second outlet port. In addition, byimplementing the cage around the cartridge a user is able to operate thefilter in backwash mode without having to worry about the cartridgesuccumbing to damage. Finally, based on the overall set-up of a givenuser's surrounding environment, which may be affected by trees, sheds,or other structures, the user is able to adjust the positioning of thecap, which allows the user to direct the flow of the ports on the coverassembly in a manner that is best suitable for the user.

While the above description contains many specifics, these specificsshould not be construed as limitations of the invention, but merely asexemplifications of preferred embodiments thereof. Those skilled in theart will envision many other embodiments within the scope and spirit ofthe invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A cartridge filter apparatus, comprising: ahousing configured to contain a cartridge filter, the housing including:a lower-section housing; a cover assembly attached to the lower-sectionhousing; and a valve assembly having an outlet port, an inlet port, aninternal port, and a valve positioned within the valve assembly; thecartridge filter apparatus configurable in one of a filtration mode anda backwash mode based on a position of the valve, wherein in thefiltration mode water flows through the cartridge filter in a firstdirection and in the backwash mode water flows through the cartridgefilter in a second direction opposite the first direction, and furthercomprising a second valve to open and close a second outlet port.
 2. Thecartridge filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the valve assembly isattached to the cover assembly.
 3. The cartridge filter apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a water pump to provide water to thehousing.
 4. The cartridge filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein thecartridge filter defines a cavity therein that is defined by an internalperimeter of the cartridge filter, the cartridge filter apparatusfurther comprising: a central core positioned at least partially withinthe cavity of the cartridge filter and extending at least partiallyalong a longitudinal axis of the cavity, the central core including aplurality of holes.
 5. A cartridge filter apparatus, comprising: ahousing configured to contain a cartridge filter, the housing including:a lower-section housing; a cover assembly attached to the lower-sectionhousing; and a valve assembly having an outlet port, an inlet port, aninternal port, and a valve positioned within the valve assembly, thecartridge filter apparatus configurable in one of a filtration mode anda backwash mode based on a position of the valve, wherein in thefiltration mode water flows through the cartridge filter in a firstdirection and in the backwash mode water flows through the cartridgefilter in a second direction opposite the first direction, and theinternal port extending into the lower-section housing and at leastpartially within an inside of the cartridge filter, the internal porthaving an outside diameter that substantially corresponds with an insidediameter of the cartridge filter.
 6. The cartridge filter apparatus ofclaim 5, further comprising a cage positionable around the cartridgefilter and between the housing and the cartridge filter.
 7. A cartridgefilter apparatus, comprising: a housing configured to contain acartridge filter, the housing including: a lower-section housing; acover assembly attached to the lower-section housing; and a valveassembly having an outlet port, an inlet port, an internal port, and avalve positioned within the valve assembly: the cartridge filterapparatus configurable in one of a filtration mode and a backwash modebased on a position of the valve, wherein in the filtration mode waterflows through the cartridge filter in a first direction and in thebackwash mode water flows through the cartridge filter in a seconddirection opposite the first direction, and the valve assembly isattached to the cover assembly, and further comprising: a clamp forsecuring the cover assembly to the lower-section housing of the housing,the cover being rotatably positionable on the lower-section housing, thecartridge filter being operable regardless of a position the coverassembly is secured to the lower-section housing.
 8. The cartridgefilter apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cage positioned aroundthe cartridge filter and between the housing and the cartridge filter.9. The cartridge filter apparatus of claim 8, wherein the cartridgefilter includes: a longitudinal portion; a first end positioned on oneend of the longitudinal portion; and a second end opposite the first endand positioned on another end of the longitudinal portion; and the cagecompletely surrounds the longitudinal portion of the cartridge.
 10. Thecartridge filter apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a cap; and abase; the cap and the base are removably attached to a first end of thecage and a second end of the cage.
 11. A cartridge filter apparatus,comprising: a housing configured to contain a cartridge filter, thehousing including: a lower-section housing; a cover assembly attached tothe lower-section housing; and a valve assembly having an outlet port,an inlet port, an internal port, and a valve positioned within the valveassembly, wherein the valve assembly is attached to the cover assembly,and further comprising means for securing the cover assembly to thelower-section housing of the housing, the cover assembly being rotatablypositionable on the lower-section housing, the cartridge filter beingoperable regardless of position the cover assembly is secured to thelower-section housing.
 12. A cartridge filter apparatus of claim 11,further comprising a cage positioned around the cartridge filter andbetween the housing and the cartridge filter.
 13. The cartridge filterassembly of claim 12, wherein the cartridge filter includes: alongitudinal portion; a first end positioned on one end of thelongitudinal portion; and a second end opposite the first end andpositioned on another end of the longitudinal portion; and the cagecompletely surrounds the longitudinal portion of the cartridge.
 14. Thecartridge filter apparatus of claim 11, wherein the cartridge filterincludes a cavity therein that is defined by an internal perimeter ofthe cartridge filter, the cartridge filter apparatus further comprising:a central core positioned at least partially within the cavity of thecartridge filter and extending at least partially along a longitudinalaxis of the cavity, the central core including a plurality of holes.